The designer scarf arrived and made a small taste of luxury accessible to those who would otherwise be unable to afford it. A versatile item, endless unique designs to be worn in endless ways. This is what allows the scarf to be a timeless accessory. The silk scarf will always be associated with sophistication and style.
One of the First Hermès Scarf Designs (1937)
The most iconic scarves are produced by Hermès. Their first scarf in 1937 began a new era of scarves that are more like pieces of art – the rarer ones framed and admired, too precious to wear. Each scarf by a different designer and with 27 distinct colours on average. Naturally, each designer’s style is totally unique, creating anticipation for the next scarf that is issued. Looking back you can see the way they change and admire the intricacy and detail of the designs. There are subtleties, however, that each Hermès scarf has in common. The silk has a weight in your hand that proves luxury and each …

Statement earrings are making a comeback! The allure of statement shoulder-dusting earrings or magnicifient jewelled cascading drops are hard to resist, and with these being capable of elevating any outfit its no wonder statement earrings have been dominating the catwalks and high streets for seasons.
Luna Bijl on the cover of Vogue Paris August 2016
The trend towards dynamic and dazzling danglers is not new; statement earrings have been popular for years. There was the brightly coloured mod jewellery worn in the 1960s by fashion icons such as Twiggy.
The 1970s saw huge gold hoops and the 1980s were all about bright primary colours and the glamour that large earrings added to an outfit. And now, dramatic statement styles have made a comeback, with designers sending their models strutting down the catwalk dripping in statement jewels.
At Balenciaga’s Fall 2016 show, the designer Demna Gvasalia reimagined several of Cristobal Balenciaga’s iconic brooches as pieces of jewellery, including unique earrings. These huge jewelled earrings in particular showcase the the glamour and wow-factor that can …

A former high-flying banker swapped her business suits for classic vintage clothes after voluntary redundancy introduced her to the world of retro fashion. Ruth Campbell visits her stunning store

Harrogate vintage clothes retailer Catherine Smith

To describe Catherine Smith’s shop as a vintage clothes store is something of an understatement. She is renowned for hunting down rare, treasured, original pieces in stunning fabrics, and prints by designers such as Ossie Clark and Mary Quant, which gives it the feel of an art gallery.
And the delicate, authentic flapper dresses, Edwardian lace blouses, perfectly preserved Victorian boots and precious hand-stitched Twenties shoes and handbags hold all the fascination of a mesmerising museum display.
Theatrical vintage props, such as mannequins with elongated necks, art deco mirrors and original 1920s hat and shoe boxes, set the scene for what customers might be about to discover once they start to look through the rails.
As well as the rows of beautiful dresses, coats, jackets and trousers dating …